Zone Codes, Comprehensive Plan and Other Regulations

Marion County's primary zoning and land use regulations are covered in the Zoning Code sections of the Marion County Code (MCC), as well as the Marion County Comprehensive Plan.

Title 17 Rural Zoning of the MCC provides regulations governing the development and use of lands in the portions of Marion County outside acknowledged urban growth boundaries - the rural areas of the County. The primary intent of these regulations is to conserve farm and forest lands for the production of crops, livestock, and timber products. The Rural Zone Code contains chapters covering each rural zone type (Exclusive Farm Use, Acreage Residential, Farm/Timber, etc.); uses allowed within each zone; development restrictions specific to each zone; and specific topics such as signs, floodplain regulations, nonconforming buildings, etc.

Title 16 Urban Zoning of the MCC provides regulations governing the development and use of lands in the unincorporated areas of Marion County located within urban growth boundaries. The primary intent of these regulations is to coordinate, retain and protect development of these lands for eventual urban use. The Urban Zone Code contains chapters covering each zone type for our urban areas such as Single Family Residential, Urban Transition, and Commercial Retail. These chapters include information on allowed uses and development restrictions specific to each zone. The Urban Zone Code also has chapters covering specific topics such as signs, off-street parking and loading, landscaping, etc.

Zoning Acronyms - click the link for a list of acronyms and definitions used in our zone codes.

Marion County Comprehensive Planwas developed for the purpose of providing a guide to development and conservation of Marion County's land resources. It is a general­ized long-range policy guide and land use map that provides the basis for deci­sions on the physical, social, and economic development of Marion County. These policies and statements are based on inventories, developmental limitations, projected needs, public attitudes, countywide urban growth management project framework and implementation strategy, and the State Land Conservation and Development Commission Goals and Guidelines.

The Plan also coordinates the various factors which influence community development such as sewer and water, transportation, housing, commerce, industry, schools, land use, recreation and natural resources. It establishes goals and policies which recognize and plan for the interrelationships and interactions of these factors.

This report was prepared as part of the Marion County Comprehensive Plan. Its function is to serve as a factual data source for the development of Marion County land use goals and policies. The Background and Inventory Report is intended to separate factual data from the conclusionary directives stated in the County Goals and Policies Report. This report is primarily a statement of existing conditions, trends, needs and projections that lead to statements of problems or conflicts, therefore, the need to establish and implement policy decisions to deal with the planning issues.

On Sept. 23, 2015, during regular Board Session, the Marion County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance to opt out of the six marijuana businesses identified in House Bill 3400, essentially prohibiting marijuana businesses in the unincorporated areas of Marion County. The board also referred the matter to Marion County voters for the Nov. 8, 2016 general election. At the same public meeting the Board of Commissioners passed another ordinance establishing a 3% tax on the sale of recreational marijuana items and also referred this matter to Marion County voters at the Nov. 2016 general election.

As a result, and effective Sept. 23, 2015, there is a moratorium on the establishment of recreational-related marijuana businesses and establishment of new medical marijuana-related businesses in the unincorporated areas of Marion County until after the Nov. 8, 2016 election. The two existing and previously authorized dispensaries in Marion County are "grandfathered in" and can start recreational marijuana sales on Oct. 1, 2015, as allowed under state regulations.

Unincorporated Rural Community PlansIn 1994 the Land Conservation and Development established planning and zoning requirements for unincorporated communities. Each county was required to establish rural community plans. For Marion County, these include Brooks, Marion, Mehama, Shaw, etc. Click on the link for more information.